Good Maintenance for Better mileage
By Thomas Yoon
Our previous article talks about adopting good driving habits
in order to squeeze the maximum work out of the petrol or
gasoline we use for our vehicles.
In this article, we will explore more ways of achieving that -
by good maintenance of your vehicle.
Good maintenance not only ensures that the vehicle does not
breakdown when you least expect it, but it also has a strong
influence on the fuel economy.
The condition of the engine plays a major part in fuel saving.
We do not want piston rings that leak, perhaps due to wear down
of the rings or the cylinder bore. This will waste some of the
power that should instead be used to drive the crankshaft of
the engine. Similarly with inlet and exhaust valves. These
should not leak because the power developed in the engine
cylinders can be lost through them. A good overhaul will
greatly improve the condition of the engine.
When you are satisfied that the engine is in good condition,
we should then look at the tuning of the engine. It is very
important to do it right. It directly influences the combustion
efficiency.
Correct engine timing means the fuel can burn completely and
the exhaust gas led away completely. It means that the
combustion cycle of an engine follows the optimum design,
i.e. fresh air is mixed at the correct ratio with the fuel to
provide a good explosive mixture, the ignition source or spark
plug is activated just at the right moment, and the inlet
valves and outlet valves are opened at just the correct angle
of the cycle.
If there is some delay in the timing, this will affect the
combustion. Some of the fuel will remain unburnt, and are then
led out through the exhaust pipe. This is sheer wastage.
Improper combustion in the engine can be detected by an
emission test. A high percentage of carbon monoxide in the
exhaust is a sure sign of incomplete combustion.
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve its gas
mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results can vary
based on the kind of repair and how well it has been done.
Combustion of any fuel needs oxygen. Replacing a clogged air
filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10
percent. The excess air for combustion helps ensure that all
the fuel has been burnt.
Although it can reduce the air for combustion if it becomes
choked, the car's air filter is necessary. It keeps impurities
from damaging the inside of your engine. It therefore helps to
prevent abrasive particles from wearing down the moving parts
of the engine, particularly the piston rings and the cylinder
bore. Naturally, this will help keep the engine in good working
condition and lengthens the frequency of an engine overhaul.
The next influence on the fuel economy is the tire pressure.
Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for
every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Proper inflated
tires are safer and can last longer. Your gas mileage can be
improved by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated
to the proper pressure. However, you must not over-inflate the
tires. Over-inflated tires can cause bumpy rides and can even
burst. This is dangerous.
With so many moving parts in the engine and transmission shafts,
the lubricant does have an impact on the fuel economy. You can
improve the gas mileage by 1~2 percent by using the
manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example,
using 10W-30 in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your
gas mileage by 1~1.5 percent. When choosing engine oil, look
for oil that contains friction-reducing additives. These are
usually labeled as "Energy Conserving" on the API performance
symbol.
These are some aspects of engine maintenance that can help you
reduce your gas consumption in your vehicle. About the Author Thomas Yoon specializes in cartoon illustrations that will make an impact on people's opinions.
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